Inspired by the classic stuffed bell peppers dish, this comforting pasta casserole holds all those flavors inside. No need to choose, you can have two great dishes in one.
PASTA CASSEROLE
What was that? Was that actually a weather forecast for temperatures below 70 coming up? Oh, only for three days…Well, we need to take advantage of “cooler” weather with some comfort food.
What does “comfort food” mean to you? I didn’t even realize that “comfort food” can mean different things to different people. My husband and I went out to a great new restaurant a few weeks ago and we ended up having a long conversation about comfort food with our server. We started talking about the chef’s signature dish, which was beef with homemade demi glace and mushroom risotto, and the server referred to it as “the ultimate comfort dish.” My husband and I started talking about what makes a dish “comforting.”
To me, it’s the actual food and ingredients that make me feel like it’s comforting food. Something that would make you feel cozy and warm while you’re eating it. Pasta, soup, casseroles, and hot cocoa are definitely dishes that I would put in that comforting category. My husband on the other hand, thinks of comfort food as more of familiar dishes or favorite dishes from childhood.
So how about you? What do you consider comfort food, actual ingredients or memories?
MORE RECIPES TO TRY
Bacon Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Cheesy Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells
Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake from Plain Chicken
Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta Bake from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!
Connect with Will Cook For Smiles!
Be sure to click below and follow me on my social media, so you never miss a recipe.
Don’t forget to sign up for email, so you won’t miss any new recipe
Stuffed Peppers Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 med. yellow onion
- 1 lg. green bell pepper
- 1 lg. orange bell pepper
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/3 cup tomato sauce
- 5-6 leaves of basil
- 1 1/2 tsp oregano
- Salt
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 3/4 to 1 lb dry farfalle pasta
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese mix
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package directions, drain and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a casserole dish. (2 1/2 - 3 quart baking dish will work.)
- Slice onions and peppers thin.
- Preheat a large cooking pan over medium heat. Add some vegetable oil, onions and peppers. Cook veggies until softened.
- Add ground beef to the pan. Break it up as much as possible, cover, and cook for a few minutes. Stir well breaking up clumps of beef. Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper. Mix and continue to cook, covered, until beef is done.
- Stir in oregano and chopped basil. Stir in pasta and transfer the mixture into a prepared baking dish.
- Spread shredded cheese all over the top and bake for 15-17 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Kate says
Can this be made the day before and thrown in the oven with cheese the next day?
Melissa says
I to am wondering the same thing
LyubaB says
Yes, that would be fine just make sure to cover it airtight. Pasta tends to soak up the juices so add a little stock to it before cooking I also recommend leaving it on the counter for about 30 minutes to come to room temperature before baking it and then it may take 5-10 longer in the oven.
Crissy says
This was delicious! Glad I read the reviews first. ⅓ cup of tomato sauce for 1 pound of pasta and 1 pound of meat and veggies is not enough. I added way more, not sure how much exactly. I used dried basil and added 4 cloves of minced garlic. This pasta would have never fit in my 3 quart baking dish. I used a 13 x 9 and it fit perfectly! A definite make again though!
Phyllis Reder says
I liked it a lot,I did add 1/2 cup of tomato sauce though.there was one thing though it didn’t say how much salt to put in.
LyubaB says
I am glad you liked it! I usually say salt to taste because everyone has a different salt preference.
Sharon Cole says
I made this and I added some chili sauce to it in my plate and it’s delicious
Amber says
I added two cans of sauce and more seasoning but really awesome, I will make again. Great for leftovers for lunch
LyubaB says
Glad you liked it, Amber!